NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies After Crash at Bridgeport Speedway

Rainier Ehrhardt/Getty Images for NASCAR(BRIDGEPORT, N.J.) — NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died Wednesday from injuries he suffered in an accident during a heat race at a dirt car event at Bridgeport Speedway.

Leffler, who was nicknamed “Left Turn,” was pronounced dead at 9:00 p.m Eastern according to the New Jersey State Police

“NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler who passed away earlier this evening,” NASCAR said in a statement. “For more than a decade, Jason was a fierce competitor in our sport and he will be missed.”

The 37-year-old Leffler raced in 423 NASCAR events since 1999, winning twice on the Nationwide tour and once on in the Truck series.

In 2011, Leffler’s last full NASCAR season, he finished six in the Nationwide standings while racing for Turner Motorsports.